Basketball Game Preview: Wise Pumas vs. Laurel Spartans

Wise is a perfect 10-0 against Laurel since February of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Wise Pumas will be playing at home against the Laurel Spartans at 7:00 p.m. One thing working in Wise's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last 13 contests.

On Friday, Wise didn't have too much trouble with Suitland as they won 82-65. Given the Pumas' advantage in MaxPreps' Maryland basketball rankings (they are ranked 35th, while the Rams are ranked 109th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Cayden Hargrove

Points

02/14/25 @ Suitland	21
02/10/25 vs DuVal	9
02/04/25 @ Flowers	5
02/03/25 vs Eleanor Roosevelt	12
01/30/25 @ Bowie	12
+ 34 more games

Wise's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Cayden Hargrove led the charge by dropping a double-double with 21 points and 12 boards. That's the most points Hargrove has posted since back in December of 2023. Dion Walker was another key player, going 7-for-16 en route to 22 points and three blocks.

Wise smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in eight consecutive matches.

Meanwhile, Laurel entered their tilt with Bowie on Friday with seven consecutive wins , and they'll enter their next game with eight. They blew past the Bulldogs 68-44. The Spartans have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 11 games by 23 points or more this season.

Wise's win bumped their record up to 15-4. As for Laurel, their victory was their tenth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 17-2.

Wise came out on top in a nail-biter against Laurel in their previous matchup back in January, sneaking past 84-81. Does Wise have another victory up their sleeve, or will Laurel turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.